Standard Glossary of Terms used in Software Testing

"Much time and effort is wasted both within and between industry, commerce, government and professional and academic institutions when ambiguities arise as a result of the inability to differentiate adequately between such terms as ‘statement coverage’ and ‘decision coverage’, ‘test suite’, ‘test specification’ and ‘test plan’, and similar terms which form an interface between various sectors of society. Moreover, the professional or technical use of these terms is often at variance, with differentmeanings attributed to them.

In compiling this glossary, the working group has sought the views and comments of a broad spectrum of opinion in industry, commerce and government bodies and organizations, with the aim of producing an international testing standard that would gain wide acceptance. Total agreement will rarely, if ever, be achieved in compiling a document of this nature. Contributions to this glossary have been received from testing communities from all over the world."